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Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old YouTuber from Hisar, stunned investigators with a WhatsApp chat revealing her plea to ISI officer Ali Hasan, “Get me married in Pakistan,” as reported by News Agencies arrested on May 16 for espionage, Malhotra’s confessions to Haryana Police and the NIA uncover a web of betrayal, involving sensitive military data and multiple Pakistan trips, shaking India amid Operation Sindoor.
The chat, recovered from Malhotra’s seized phone, showed her emotional plea to Hasan, a senior ISI operative, indicating a personal bond beyond espionage. Shared by a media house, the conversation included Malhotra’s request for marriage arrangements in Pakistan, alongside discussions about her visits to Pathankot and Attari, where she avoided filming to evade suspicion.Police recovered videos of radar systems and BSF troop movements from her cloud storage, solidly confirming her involvement in leaking sensitive intelligence.
During interrogation, Malhotra admitted to sharing classified details about Operation Sindoor and border activities with Hasan and Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled in 2024. She confessed to three Pakistan trips in 2023-2024, facilitated by Hasan, who provided VIP treatment. Her interactions included attending an Iftar party and a Bali trip with Danish, deepening her ISI ties. Malhotra also revealed Hasan’s inquiry about “undercover agents” at Attari, signaling targeted espionage.
Malhotra’s YouTube channel “Travel with JO,” boasting 1.2 million subscribers, served as a clever cover for her covert actions, presenting her as a travel vlogger. Her father, Harish—currently ailing and living in seclusion—had initially defended her travels as part of content creation, but later confessed he had no idea about her real motives, according to The Print. A photo showing a cake delivery to the Pakistan High Commission shortly after the Pahalgam attack went viral, sparking outrage and linking her to ISI celebrations. Her arrest came soon after a critical tip-off received in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7.
The NIA, now leading the case, is probing Malhotra’s financial transactions and potential accomplices, with her bail hearing set for May 25. The scandal, trending on X with #JyotiMalhotra, underscores vulnerabilities in India’s security, especially amid demands for Hafiz Saeed’s extradition. Malhotra’s personal motivations and ISI manipulation highlight the complex human elements in espionage, as India strengthens counterintelligence measures.